Trump’s TikTok Ban Backfires as Tech Giants Get a Free Pass
Let me break this down for you—what’s happening with TikTok, Trump, and America’s biggest tech companies feels like a political thriller, except it's real and it's unfolding now.
So here's the story: Even though there’s a federal law that bans TikTok in the U.S. over national security concerns, President Donald Trump has decided not to enforce it—at least not fully. Instead of cracking down, he’s actually allowed TikTok to keep operating and made legal promises to major tech firms like Apple, Google, Amazon, Microsoft, and others that they won't be held liable for supporting the app.
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This all came to light thanks to newly released government letters obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request. A software engineer named Tony Tan went digging after TikTok mysteriously reappeared in app stores just 26 days after being removed. He sued the Department of Justice when they initially claimed there were no records—only to later receive letters showing just how far the Trump administration had gone to shield tech companies.
The letters, some dating back to January 30, explicitly state that these companies did not violate the ban and wouldn’t be prosecuted. And this wasn’t just a wink and a nod. Attorney General Pam Bondi formally wrote to Apple, Google, Amazon, Microsoft, T-Mobile, and several others, saying the DOJ was “irrevocably relinquishing” any claims against them. Basically, they got a hall pass to keep working with TikTok, despite a law on the books saying otherwise.
Why does this matter? Well, aside from the fact that the law was created in response to TikTok's ties to China and supposed national security risks, it raises serious constitutional and legal questions. Experts are wondering: Can a president just choose not to enforce a law passed by Congress? And can tech companies rely on these promises if another administration comes in and changes its mind?
Even more dramatic is that Trump has extended the deadline for TikTok to reduce Chinese ownership multiple times. That means negotiations are still happening, but enforcement is repeatedly delayed. Meanwhile, tech companies are free to support TikTok without fear of consequences—for now.
The irony? The very law meant to crack down on foreign influence is being undercut by the same administration that backed it. It's not just a legal loophole—it’s a deliberate decision to bypass the rules. And while that might work for the moment, there's no guarantee it’ll last. As Tan warns, these promises may be nonbinding, and the next president could reverse them, potentially exposing companies like Google to billions in liability.
At the end of the day, this isn’t just about TikTok. It’s about how much power one person can wield over federal law and how far tech giants will go to protect their business interests—even when national security is on the line.
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